Illini struggle to get to free-throw line

In a season where it's hard to know what to expect from No. 18 Illinois, a trend became even more obvious during the 38-33 loss to Penn State on Wednesday. The Illini don't get to the free-throw line.

John Supinie

In a season where it's hard to know what to expect from No. 18 Illinois, a trend became even more obvious during the 38-33 loss to Penn State on Wednesday.

The Illini don't get to the free-throw line. They set an Assembly Hall record against the Nittany Lions, when they didn't attempt a free throw. And while that low mark is quite amazing in the rugged Big Ten -- where nearly every shot is contested -- Illinois ranks No. 340 among 343 teams in Division I in free throws attempted.

Illinois shot 346 free throws this year. Only Washington State (327), Kennesaw State (326) and Princeton (287) have fewer attempts. Unlike last season, Illinois can make free throws. The Illini rank third in the Big Ten with 71.4 percent, but a lineup that shies away from physical contact doesn't help in drawing fouls.

Physical play has been a concern all season for coach Bruce Weber.

"When people locked into us, we're not a great screening team,'' Weber said after Wednesday’s game. "We talked about the physicality. (The Nittany Lions) were pretty physical, bumped our cuts and locked into us. That's something we talked about all year. We've been able to get away with it. Not tonight.''

Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale, the slender sophomore post players, are more finesse than power. They score with skill, not bulk. Guard Trent Meacham drove the ball to the basket more this year, but he's still a jump shooter. Guard Demetri McCamey attempted 61 free throws, more than anyone else on the team.

Drawing fouls usually is simple, though it hasn't been for Illinois.

"You have to get it inside and go to the basket,'' Weber said. "You can't settle for jump shots. You have to turn the corner and make them guard you. I don't think we're ever going to get a lot of free throws. We're more of a jump-shooting team.''

In the process of losing a Big Ten home game for the first time this season, Illinois also set an Assembly Hall record for fewest points in a game and produced its lowest point total since a 34-31 loss to Minnesota in the 1946-47 season in Huff Gym. Penn State defeated Illinois in Assembly Hall for the third straight meeting. The Illini (21-6 overall, 9-5 in the Big Ten) play at Ohio State (17-7, 7-6) on Sunday (noon, CBS).

Despite McCamey vomiting at halftime and battling the flu, he played 19 minutes in the second half. The bench logged just seven minutes after halftime -- Calvin Brock played 3 minutes in the second half with Dominique Keller and Jeff Jordan getting 2 minutes apiece.

"Maybe hindsight, look at the bench,'' Weber said. "Maybe use Dominique more. He didn't seem in sync. Calvin was 0-for-3 with three turnovers. Alex misses his first three shots. They didn't give us a whole lot of confidence to play them. Jeffrey did a nice job again. Maybe hindsight mix it up a little bit, trying to get a spark from one of those guys. They've given a nice spark all year.''

NOTE: When the Illini took Thursday off, it was the first day away from practice, games or traveling since Feb. 9.